I know, I know, the event was 5 months ago, but I meant to write this and then I was busy with self publishing, writing, living, other stuff.

I always love UK Meet and it has a special place in my heart because through Clare London, I attended my first UK Meet in Brighton in 2012 and there I met my writing family. A wonderful, caring, helpful, friendly, group of a people who I've loved meeting at subsequent UK Meets and other events too. Here's the best bits of the last UK Meet as far as I was concerned.

I was very touched to be mentioned in such a lovely way in Charlie Cochrane's blog. I never think of myself as anything special or out of the ordinary, but the way Charlie summed it up in her blog had me crying (good, positive tears) a little. 'And here are two people who defy all labelling – myself and Liam Livings.' Charlie reminds me of the quote that you must be yourself because everyone else is taken. And that's what I always try to do.

The ukuleles. I must admit, when Cathy said she had organised these for the rainbow dinner I wasn't too enthusiastic. How wrong was I? Their enthusiasm, wonderful skills and picking some great sing along songs made for the best part of the night as far as I was concerned. I told the group as I walked through the room where they were getting ready to go home, 'The most fun I've had with all my clothes on.' Which they shared on their Facebook group. Praise indeed.

Here's some audio clips of us singing along I recorded on my phone. Just click on them to download or open and they should work on media player etc.

Mum came to the Rainbow Dinner. It was the first time she'd met all the people I'd been talking about for so long. She had a great time, dancing, talking and singing along. I explained to her everyone at the event would know me as Liam Livings and not *real name* so she had to keep remembering to refer to me as Liam and not *real name* which also starts with a L. The rainbow teapot still has pride of place in her kitchen.